Search

Michigan Blues

Legends Ranch

Kitchitikipi From Boat With Fish

I stood 20 feet out in Lake Michigan on a stormy summer evening with waves crashing into me as I tried to steady my tripod for a long 30-second exposure. Like so many times before, I was awestruck by the glamorous beauty of Big Point Sable Lighthouse. The Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association has done a brilliant job of restoring the lighthouse and bringing back its incredible grandeur.

Sunset at Ludington Lighthouse

Legends Ranch

Lake of the Clouds

Stearns Beach During Workshop

Buckley Rollway

Bond Falls

 

Moon Walker

Ablaze in color, maple leaves stand out against a backdrop of pine trees along Hamlin Lake near the Hamlin Dam. The fall color hot spots at Ludington State Park remain the same year after year but the colors change based on the weather and the quality and direction of light at the moment of viewing.

Little Sable During Advanced Workshop in Morning

Buckley Rollway

November Storm in Grand Haven

Lower Tahquamenon Falls

Strapped to their 44-foot rescue boat and hanging on as the small but mighty vessel takes on another huge Lake Michigan wave, Ludington Coast Guardsmen head into the teeth of a storm. If it were to capsize, the boat is designed to right itself within 15 seconds and forge ahead. Crews purposely go out to train in such weather conditions in order to be able to safely and successfully aid mariners in distress in similar wind and seas. As a Coast Guard Reservist, I served as a “coxswain” or captain of this incredible vessel, 44345, for more than 25 years. Oh to have been able to take photographs during some of those boat rides! I scrambled part way out the Ludington north breakwall to take this off-duty photograph. I think it speaks volumes and will always be one of my favorite photographs, especially because I like to think of 44345 as a best friend, one that never has failed me and never will

Turning your camera into a paintbrush is as simple as "painting" across a subject with your camera during a long exposure. The results are often both impressionistic and surprising. During one of our photography workshops I demonstrated how to "paint" some overturned kayaks stacked together along Hamlin Lake. I liked the results more than I expected.